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Some Clarifications from the Utah Division of Water Resources

Friday, February 19, 2016 - 3:45pm

There have been some misunderstandings by some people about the relationship between a comprehensive 2011/2013 project list developed by the Utah Division of Water Resources and projections made during the Prepare60 effort. We would like to clarify some items to reduce misunderstandings.

 

  • The DWRe $20 Billion project list was not created for the purpose of Prepare60 projections. It was initially a completely separate effort.
    • Projects on the $20 billion list were submitted via a survey at the request of Division of Water Quality, Division of Drinking Water and Division of Water Resources. The surveys were voluntary; many agencies didn’t respond; those that did had varying cost estimates/calculation methods that weren’t uniform.
    • The $20 Billion list was never intended to be a list of projects needing state funding. It was a point-in-time list to get a general idea about water infrastructure needs within the state. It was created in 2011 and last updated in 2013.
    • The $20 Billion list included culinary, wastewater, stormwater and agricultural needs.
    • DWRe and other entities funded some of the projects on the list. This should not come as a surprise considering it was last updated in 2013.
  • Prepare60 used some, but not all, of the M&I projects within the DWRe list in order to make their projections.
    • The Prepare60 projections only include municipal and industrial needs. 
    • Prepare60’s report includes estimated infrastructure needs for all levels of agencies including cities, counties, districts and the state.
    • Prepare60 does not suggest or imply that the Division of Water Resources or State would fund the estimated $33 billion in project costs; the various projects will have differing funding source options.
    • All efforts to prepare a list of needed statewide water infrastructure projects with an accompanying cost will change over time as projects are funded and completed, and as new needed projects emerge; changes should be expected. 
    • A copy of the Prepare60 report and Statewide Water Infrastructure Plan, is available on prepare60.com.  

 

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